Meet Rachelle Cohen of Rachelle Cohen Psychotherapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachelle Cohen.

Hi Rachelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From where I started, I never could have imagined where I am today: a psychotherapist with a private practice, doing work that brings me purpose and meaning.

For much of my life, low self-esteem made it difficult to picture myself thriving in any career. I earned a master’s degree in business because I thought it was what I “should” do, and then drifted between industries before settling for an unfulfilling job as a financial analyst. This led to a downward spiral of depression, addiction, and toxic relationships. But I eventually reached a breaking point and decided I did not want to waste any more of my life being unhappy.

I began therapy and got sober. As I deepened my understanding of myself, my confidence began to grow. A turning point came when someone I admired said, “If something lights you up inside, it’s meant to be part of your life.” For me, that light was learning to love myself. I was drawn to understanding the workings of the human mind, particularly how our unconscious, in its effort to shield us from pain, inadvertently causes further suffering. That week I applied for a master’s program in clinical psychology, and step by step, I grew into the career I am now passionate about.

The very struggles I once thought disqualified me from being a psychotherapist became the foundation of my calling. Today, I feel privileged to sit alongside others as they forge their own paths, witnessing their courage and the meaningful changes they create in their lives.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many challenges. Balancing graduate school, clinical hours, and a full-time job often felt like more than I could carry. Along the way, I also faced a painful reminder of workplace inequality when I discovered that a less experienced male colleague I supervised was earning significantly more than me. Speaking up wasn’t easy, but doing so gave me the raise I needed to pursue my education.

Like many people, I also struggled with self-doubt. As a new therapist, impostor syndrome often crept in. Thanks to the steady guidance of a wise supervisor, I gradually learned to trust the process and recognize the real progress taking place in my clients.

Starting my private practice came with its own hurdles. Marketing myself felt deeply uncomfortable, and for a long time I avoided it. But with the help of a mentor, I began to see that this, too, was about self-worth, about finding the courage to be seen. Over time, I learned to show up “loud and proud,” as my mentor would say. The support of others played a crucial role in helping me find success in my career.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My work is to empower others to embrace their extraordinary selves. I believe there’s nothing inherently broken or incomplete about anyone. Suffering comes when we lose touch with our lovability, usually because of old wounds we’ve endured along the way. My role is to help people tend to those wounds so they can connect with life, relationships, and themselves in a more authentic way.

I specialize in psychodynamic and intersubjective therapies. Psychodynamic work helps provide insight into how early experiences shape our lives today, turning shame into self-understanding. Intersubjective therapy goes further by using the relationship between therapist and client to heal old relational patterns in real time. Clients don’t just talk about change; they experience it directly in the room. I find great success with these approaches.

Real healing often takes time and can be painful at moments, but the transformations I’ve witnessed are remarkable. Clients come to trust themselves, cultivate meaningful relationships, find fulfillment in their work, and live in ways they once thought impossible.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m a huge fan of the podcast Psychology in Seattle, hosted by Dr. Kirk Honda, a therapist who explores a wide range of psychology topics. I was first drawn to it by his conceptualizations of Game of Thrones characters!

One of my favorite psychology authors is Irvin Yalom. His book Existential Psychotherapy dives into themes like death and meaninglessness, which I believe many people would find intriguing and maybe even life-changing. My favorite of Yalom’s fiction novels is Lying on the Couch, (pun-intended), which is superb.

On a more personal note, I’ve recently enjoyed The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, a modern take on Greek mythology, and The Stranger by Albert Camus, a thought-provoking classic.

Pricing:

• $225 per session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rachellecohentherapy.com/
• Psychologytoday: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/806508